Collapsible cabinet or dark room.



PATENTED SEPT. 1, 1903.

L F. WILSON. GOLLAPSIBLE CABINET 0R DARK ROOM APPLICATION FILED APR. 30, .1903.

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No. 737,988. v PATENTEDI SEPT. 1, 1903'.

- V I L. P. WILSON.

GOLLAPSIBLE CABINET 0R DARK ROOM.

APPLICATION FILED. APR. 30. 1903.

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UNITED STATES Patented September 1, 1903.

PATENT OFFICE.

COLLAPSIBLE CABINET OR DARK ROOM.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 737,988, dated September 1, 1903.

Application filed April 30, 1903. Serial No. 154,963. (No model.) i

To ctZZ whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, LEWIS FEUILLETEAU WILSON, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Gerrardstown, in the county of Berkeley and State of West Virginia, have invented a new and Improved Collapsible Cabinet or Dark Room, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to cabinets; and it consists in certain parts and details and combinations of the same, substantially as hereinafter particularly described and claimed.

Though applicable to other purposes in the arts, myimprovements are intended more especially for use as a dark room for both amateur and professional photographers; and one of the principal objects ofmy invention is to provide a portable structure of this kind which is collapsible or foldable into small compass, either for storage or transportation, besides being light in weight and simple both in the construction and organization of the elements or parts thereof.

A further object of the invention is to provide a structure of the character referred to which is cheap to manufacture and easily repaired when broken, besides being thoroughly effective and reliable in use and possessing the capacity for long and repeated service.

The above and additional objects are attained by means substantially such as are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.

Figure 1 is a view in perspective of lnyim proved structure or dark room, the structure being shown in position for use with the door thereof in open position to partly disclose interior elements or parts. Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the structure or dark room as it appears with the parts or elements thereof folded up and secured together in compact form. Fig. 3 is an enlarged vertical transverse sectional e1evation, showing more clearly the interior construction and organization of the elements or parts of the struc ture. Fig. 4. is a similar view showing the manner in which the collapsible or foldable elements of the structure arereceived or accommodated within the outer or main frame,

and Fig. 5 is an enlarged View in perspective of the inner slidable frame of the structure.

Before proceeding with a more detailed description it may be stated that in the form of my improvements herein shown I preferably employ a front or main frame for the structure or dark room which is of rigid material, as wood or the like, and which is also of any desired height and width, this said front or frame being of special construction and formed with an opening or entrance-way to the interior of the structure, such opening being closed by a suitable door. Cooperating with said front or main frame are foldable rigid sections of special construction and operation and connected with which and the front or main frame are flexible end and side portions of the structure, and located within the structure is an auxiliary frame, also of special construction, the organization of the severally-recited elements being such as to enable the structure to be readily unfolded for use and again collapsed or folded up out of the way. The said auxiliary frame subserves the function of general brace and support for the rear part of the structure similarly as does the front or main frame for the front part of the structure, and the interior of the structure may, if desired, be supplied with supporting-hooks, side pockets, and the like, admirably adapting the structure to the purposes of an ordinary wardrobe, portable bath, closet, or the like, and while I have herein represented my improvements in a certain preferred embodiment it will be understood, of course, that I am not limited to the precise details thereof in practice, since immaterial changes therein may be resorted to coming within the scope of my invention.

Specific reference being had to the drawings by the designating characters marked thereon, 1 represents the rigid front or main frame of my improved structure or dark room, the same having therein an opening the edges 2 of which are preferably rectangular, said opening being closed by a suitable swinging or other door 3. As shown in Fig. 1, the said edges of the opening are preferably rabbeted or set in all around at 4 from the outer face of said front or main frame, and the edges of the door are correspondingly constructed or rabbeted at 5, so that when the door is closed the'light-rays will be prevented from passing into the interior of the structure or dark room at any point of the joint formed between these parts. The said front or main frame is also of suitable depth, and hinged or otherwise movably connected at 5 to the inner or rear edge of the lower transverse part 7 thereof is the inner or lower edge of a rigid foldable section 8, the same being of any desired dimensions and preferably herein shown as provided at the free corners thereof with ordinary casters or rollers 9, the under side of the said lower transverse part 7 being also provided at a suitable point thereof with a similar caster or roller 10, and thus may the structure or dark room be readily moved about when the elements or parts thereof are unfolded to place the structure in use. Similarlyhinged or otherwise movably connected at 11 to the outer surface of an upper cross-piece 12, at the rear of the said front or main frame, is the upper edge of another rigid foldablesection 13, which is also of any desired dimensions, but which is preferably of such size that the edge 14. thereof practically meets the adjacent edge 15 of section 8 when the two sections are closed or folded as in Fig. 2, and in order tosecure these sections in such closed or folded position suitable fastening devices may be employed, shown in the present instance as eyes 16 on the one section engaged by corresponding hooks 16 on the other section. Attached in light-tight manner to the said adjacent edges 1t and 15 of the said foldable sections 8 and 13 are the transverse edges 16 and 17, respectively, of a strip 18 of any suitable tlexible material impervious to light, while likewise attached at 19 to the corresponding side edges 19 of said. sections are strips 20 of similar flexible material, all of said strips being received or accommodated in collapsed form within thefront or main frame when the foldable sections are closed, (see Fig. 4,) it being understood that the inner vertical edges of these strips 20 are secured in similar manner to the corresponding orinner edges 21 of the side portions 22 of the front or main frame 1, while the outer vertical edges are secured to the adjacent edges of the said strip 18, or, if desired, the said flexible strips 18 and 20 may consist practically of a single structure properly applied substantially in accordance with the present description.- Formed at any desired point of the said flexible strip 18 is preferably a rectangular opening 24, surrounding the edges 25 of which and preferably interiorly of the structure is attached at 26 a suitable frame 27, in which may be removably held orsupported a pane of glass 28 of any desired color, according to the particular purpose for which the structure is to be employed-as, for instance, a ruby glassit being here stated that the door 3 of the structure may be provided with any desired means (not shown) for maintaining the same tightly in closed position.

1 preferably secure to the inner side of the hinged or foldable rigid section 13 at suitable intervals any desired number of strips 30, in which a number of hooks 31 may be fastened on which to hang or suspend articles of wear, as hats, coats, and the like. (Not shown.)

Attached or secured to the inner surface of the front or main frame 1 on either side of the opening or entrance-way 2 I preferably employ a suitable eye or loop 32, each of which may be engaged in the closed or folded position of the section 8 by means of the hooked end 33 of a rod 34:, which is hinged at its other end to a plate 35, secured in proper position on the inner surface of said section, and thus will the parts be more firmly secured in the unfolded condition thereof, and it may be here noted that the said hinged section 8 constitutes the floor of the structure when the latter is set up for use, while the said section 13 forms the top or roof of the structure, as is apparent. When the parts of the structure are collapsed or folded, the said rods 34: will occupy substantially the position indicated in Fig. 4.

Located within the structure or dark room is a vertical slidable frame comprising the uprights 35" and connecting cross-pieces 36, the said frame being provided at a suitable height thereof from the floor of the structure with an upwardly-foldable table 37, hinged at 38 to said uprights, said table being formed or provided with side extensions 39 of length practically equal to the depth of the structure when the latter is set up, the ends of these extensions being received in catches 4O therefor (see Fig. 3) on the inner surfaces of the side portions 22 of the front or main frame 1, thus to sustain or support the table in horizontal position when desired. Detachably fitted at 41 to the uprights 35 above the table 37 is a shelf 42, movably connected to the side edges of which at 43 are the lower ends of foldable supports 44, having their upper e'nds movably connected-at 45 to the side edges of said uprights, (see Fig. 5,) and at each lower and rearward interior corner of the structure is a cleat or step 46, While at each upper rearward interior corner thereof is a cleat 4:7, and whenever the different parts are unfolded for the purpose of setting up the structure the slidable frame is moved rearwardly and the upper ends of the uprights 35 are first slipped behind the said cleats 47, (see Fig. 3,) whereupon the said frame islifted slightly, so as to carry the lower ends of said uprights to the top of said cleats or steps ll), and in this way the parts of the unfolded structure will be securely held together, as is apparent. To again collapse or fold the parts together in the manner already described, it is simply necessary to operate said slidable frame reversely to that set forth, whereupon said frame and other parts may be carried to the positions indicated in Fig.

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4, it being here noted that the detachable connection of shelf 42 to the uprights is by means of the dowel-pins 41, which are removed whenever it is desirable to fold the shelf, as indicated in Fig. 4.

I may attach to the inner faces of the uprights 35 at .the ends of preferably triplicate rows of pockets 52 for holding or containing bottles and the like, said pockets being formed of strips of suitable material stitched together at 53. (See Fig. 5.)

From the foregoing the construction and organization of the elements or parts of my improved structure or dark room will be thoroughly understood, it being considered unnecessary to herein specifically recite the many difierent purposes for which the struc-- ture may be employed.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. A collapsible cabinet or dark room, comprising a rigid front or frame, having an opening closed by a door, foldable rigid sections attached across the inner edges of said frame above and below said opening, a flexible covering connecting the meeting edges of said foldable sections, and similar coverings con necting the side edges of said sections and the inner edges of the side portions of the said front.

2. A collapsible cabinet or dark room, comprising a rigid front or frame, having anopening closed by a door, foldable rigid sections attached across the inner edges of said frame above and below said opening, means for securing these sections together in the folded position thereof, a flexible covering connecting the meeting edges of said foldable sections, and similar coverings connecting the side edges of the sections and the inner edges of the side portions of said front.

3. A collapsible cabinet or dark room, comprising a rigid front or frame, having an opening closed by a door, foldable rigid sections attached across the inner edges of said frame above and below said opening, hooks and eyes for securing these sections together in the folded position thereof, rods detachably connecting the lower section with the inner surface of the front on opposite sides of the opening, a flexible covering connecting the meeting edges of said foldable sections, and similar coverings connecting the side edges of said sections and the inner vertical edges of the side portions of said front.

4. A collapsible cabinet or dark room, comprising a rigid front or main frame, having an opening closed by a door, foldable rigid sections attached across the inner edges of said frame above and below said opening, means for securing these sections together when folded up, flexible coverings connecting the sections and the latter and main frame, and an auxiliary slidable frame within the structure maintaining the rigidity of the rear of the structure when the latter is set up for use.

5. A collapsible cabinet or dark room, comprising a rigid front or main frame, having an opening closed by a door, foldable rigid sections attached across the inner edges of said frame above and below said opening, means for securing these sections together when folded up, aflexible covering connecting the meeting edges thereof, similar coverings connectin g the side edges of the sections and the inner edges of the side portions of the front, and a slidable auxiliary frame within the structure, provided with a foldable table and shelf, said table having side extensions adapted to be engaged by catches therefor on the inner surfaces of said side portions.

6. Acollapsible cabinet or dark room, comprising a rigid front or main frame having an opening closed by a door, foldable rigid sections attached across the inner edges of said frame above and below said opening, a flexible strip connecting the meeting edges of said foldable sections, means for securing the latter together when folded up, a flexible strip connecting the meeting edges of these sections, similar strips connecting the side edges of said sections with the inner edges of the side portions of said front or main frame, cleats in the upper and lower rearward inner corners of the structure, and an inner auxiliary slidable frame adapted to rest upon the cleatsin the said lower corners, with upper parts thereof engaged by the cleats in said upper corners.

7. Acollapsiblecabinet or dark room, comprising a rigid front or frame, having an opening closed by a door, foldable rigid sections attached across the inner edges of said frame above and belowthe opening, means for securing said sections together when the parts are folded up, a flexible strip connecting the meeting edges of these sections, and similar strips connecting the side edges of the sections with the inner edges of the side portions of the front, the latter and lower one of the foldable sections being provided with casters for enabling the structure to be moved about.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

LEWIS FEUILLETEAU \VllrfiON.

Witnesses:

J. FRANK SEIBERT, JAMEs W. BURKE.

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